In Duluth, Jan.11, 2014 something exciting happened: progressive activists gathered to re-imagine politics: working together in mutual respect, honesty & solidarity. Result were amazing! We're taking this idea on the road across Minnesota. Uniting People will hold workshops & forums towards uniting diverse groups and building progressive power, organizing outside of the current established power structure that's failed for years. Over a dozen organizations (and counting) are involved in the FEB.15th event. Issues include economic justice, criminal (in)justice system, climate change and environmental racism, militarism and more. You're invited to engage and add your energies to building a 21st century progressive movement.

EVENTS:

***FRI. FEB.7, 7pm-SAT.FEB.8, 11pm:Drone NOT Drones: the live 28-hour drone

CEDAR CULTURAL Ctr. 416 Cedar Ave.S.,West Bank, Mpls (712)338-2674

A Big Gig pick by Chris Riemenschneider writing in the Star Tribune: "It started out on a bumper sticker and became the mantra of Low’s contentious one-song, half-hour performance at Rock the Garden last summer. Now “Drone, Not Drones” is a 28-hour free-form music marathon intended to raise money and awareness for war victims in Pakistan and Yemen. Not the kind of show anyone will be singing or dancing at — the Cedar is actually telling people to bring pillows and blankets — it promises nonstop minimalist, ambient, purr-to-roar music played by dozens of local indie-rock and experimental musicians, including Low themselves, Martin Dosh, Paul Metzger, Zak Sally, JT Bates, Tim Kaiser and members of the Cloak Ox, Marijuana Deathsquads, Flavor Crystals, Magic Castles and Daughters of the Sun.” Limited seating.

***********FEB.7-23:Black history comes to life in "Freedom Riders"***********

Youth Performance Company celebrates its 25th season with this uplifting show about young people who changed history

This lively, moving and thoughtful show is the perfect production for Black History Month, running February 7 - 23. If you think kids can't change history, then you don't know their story -- yet.

Youth Performance Company presents: Freedom Riders is an original play by Jacie Knight, with music & lyrics by Matt Koskenmaki and Kahlil Queen. In the summer of 1961, a group of students boarded buses to challenge segregation, and their journey began a revolution in the civil rights movement. Creating a force that spanned the divisions of race, these young people fought for one common goal – equality. This event, and others that followed, inspired thousands from across the country to gather for the Freedom Summer Project of 1964. Travel back to meet these brave students who earned their place in history as … the Freedom Riders.

We are inviting women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders.